Fort Wayne organizations refute Akin comment

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)--Missouri Congressman Todd Akin’s controversial statement has been creating a stir in some Fort Wayne organizations.  Though Akin has apologized for his comment about “legitimate rape,” some are concerned that the damage has already been done and victims' trauma has been minimized.

Akin, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Missouri, is under fire for saying, “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to shut that whole thing down.”  Akin does not have plans to drop out of the race despite pressure from his own party to quit.

The Fort Wayne Women's Bureau provides free services for people affected by sexual assault.  Leaders there are concerned Akin's "legitimate rape" statement blames victims and might negatively impact a victim's emotional recovery.

“It's very frustrating that continually still in 2012 people are still blaming victims,” said Candice Hall, clinical counselor for the Women’s Bureau.  “That's something that they have to deal with and a lot of the people that come through these doors don't report it because they don't want to be blamed.”

As for Akin’s statement that the female body could, in some cases, naturally protect against pregnancy during rape, Leslie Cook with the Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center said she’s not familiar with that information.

“In all of my years of experience as a registered nurse, 17 of those practicing as a sexual assault nurse examiner, I am just not aware of any literature that would support that,” said Cook, a chief clinical educator with Sexual Assault Treatment Center.

The Sexual Assault Treatment Center provides medical forensic examinations on people who report sexual assault.  Cook said their procedures actually refute Akin's comment.

“It is clearly best practice to assess anybody who’s been a victim of sexual violence, to do a complete assessment,” Cook said.  “That includes assessing their healthcare needs, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy are part of that plan of care.”

Click here for more information on the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau.

Click here for more information on the Sexual Assault Treatment Center.